This is a blog created to document Grinnell College's SOL's 2014 trip to Guatemala

Day 3: Visiting La Puya

Wednesday began by a guest speaker who was a lawyer pursuing material and intelligent criminals to the Guatemalan Genocide. This lawyer touched everything I had felt about the genocide. His personal involvement and losing so many family members is a terrifying concept. Family is a universal love and I believe one of the most powerful emotions to exist. This lawyer made of himself a person who would be in the position to be able to help people who like him lost so many in this atrocity. He is not only inspiration to me personally but also a symbol of hope to Guatemalans that people still fight and will continue to fight for the injustices occurring in Guate. Later on we went to La Puya a section of communities that live together and share natural resources. La Puya also inspired me a lot. They symbolize the fight and the hope for a better Guate. They have fought away a mining company who is trying to mine and destroy the limited natural resources in these communities. Not only have they protested but they’ve done so peacefully even though they’ve been provoked by the government time and time again. Inspiration comes from the genuine fight and struggle; these speakers facilitated me to reflect what a movement is and the multiple ways that exist to help and move forwards with a movement. Inspired and humbled today was one of the most influential days in my life; there is always hope and today helped me realize that.

This morning I woke up early, and had a breakfast of tostadas con mantequilla y mermelade (toast with butter and jelly), panqueques (pancakes), y cafe con leche (and coffe with cream). I will really miss this wonderful, small cafeteria when we leave to Xela tomorrow.

After breakfast, we met with a lawyer from the Center for Legal Action and Human Rights, Edwin. Edwin worked diligently on the trial against Rios Montt. For those who may not know exactly who this Rios Montt is I’ll give a quick description. Rios Montt was a military general in Guatemala during the civil war. Then using a military coup, he became president of Guatemala during 1982-83, which was one of the bloodiest era of the genocide. Thus, taking him to trial was no small task. Rios Montt never directly committed crimes, but he was one of the main intellectual authors of the war and Edwin helped to prove the intentionality of Rios Montt’s actions.

The fact that a person of such high status and economic power was put on trial in Guatemala was revolutionary. The case faced many roadblocks along the way, but it at the end Rios Montt was found guilty and sentenced to 80 yrs in prison. Although Rios Montt was (corruptly) granted amnesty, this trial has set a precedence in Guatemala. Edwin reflected and walked through the roadblocks that he faced in the case: an uncooperative government, intimidation, discrimination of women, ect. Yet, when asked if he would do it all over again, he answered with a resounding yes. I am under the impression that the hard works reflects the importance of the task.

This realization perfectly complemented our afternoon activity. Ellen organized a visit to La Puya, a community in resistance that NISGUA works with. La Puya is a roadside encampment that has been around for the last 22 months. While we were there, we sat in a circle on the side of the small dirt road. Hens were clucking and darting in and out of the circle, roosters would occasionally puff up their chests and crow, and every few minutes a car or motorcycle would drive by and curiously stare at us. The community of La Puya consists of 120+ people from the surrounding communities, but only 20 people will occupy the site at a time. In 2011, an article in the local newspaper reported that their were minerals in the area and that there was already a plan to build a mine. The community began to organize marches and approach the government for more information. The government denied the existence of the project, and told the people not to worry by claiming that it was a housing project. The company tried several times to physically move the community, but both attempts were unsuccessful. The company then started to use psychological warfare against the people, including manipulating the community, targeted violence, and propaganda. The company even brought 400 militants and police one day to intimidate the community to leave! These attempts were meant to provoke the community into fear, as well as provoke violent reactions. The government supports the mine and has tried several times to create a dialogue between La Puya and the company, yet all attempts have been unsuccessful.

The people of La Puya are incredibly strong-willed, thoughtful, and strong. They oppose the mine not because they oppose development, but because they know that their communities will be adversely affected. The water in the area is already limited and contains arsenic at levels 8x higher than the recommended amount. Additionally, the practice is very loosely regulated and the company is taxed less than 1%. I really admired the community of La Puya. They have stayed committed to a philosophy of nonviolence and are committed to completely stopping the construction of the mine. From the 5 year old boy to the 80 year old women that I talked with, they were all so determined. It was a powerful experience to say the least. When I return back to the US, I definitely intend to share the story of La Puya. So much can be learned from this community and applied to similar projects in the states. 🙂

Day 3 in Guatemala was a great example of work in action (not that our other presentations were not). The day started with a presentation from a lawyer in the Rios Montt trial. He discussed the process of preparing and the emotional roller coaster that accompanied the trial. His story was very powerful in many ways but the section that resonated the most with me was when he discussed working with women that were victims of sexual assault during the village raids. He discussed the personal, systemic and social norm challenges that were encountered while working with these women. For me I reflected on the influence of machismo, patriarchy, and stigma around sexual assault the lawyer discussed and how rape was used as a psychological warfare tactic that impacted the social level and more importantly the nuclear family dynamic. Although, his story was very intense, I could not help but admire the courage and resilience he and his colleagues portrayed as he discussed the moment the decision in the Rios Montt trial was overturned on a technical error and how instead of giving up they re organized and are working on an appeal.

Day 3 also brought a visit to La Puya; a social movement named after the area in which it effects. La Puya is a community organized “sit in” (for lack of a better term) where surrounding communities have occupied the entrance of a mine for 22 months to prevent a mining company from invading their land and way of life. The members of La Puya discussed the multiple tactics used by the mining company and police force (including using 400 hundred riot outfitted police officers who threw tear gas at 10 women who laid in front of the mine entrance) to try and evoke a violent response from the community. While viewing a banner that community members presented and pointed out the women’s contribution I noticed one of the women depicted in the pictures was sitting right next to me. This was very powerful and humbling moment for me as the work and struggle of this community became REAL for me. However, this moment was also very frustrating as I could only mutter a gringo “gracias” as a way to thank her for her bravery in their struggle.

On a personal note, Day 3 in Guatemala was also frustrating for me because I am realizing that my level of Spanish is not where I anticipated it would be. Although, it is a slightly different dialect than what I grew up hearing, I have realized that I am understanding just enough for the conversations to remain very broken for me. In understanding phrases rather than following the conversation, it has been mentally and emotionally draining for me to try and not relay on the translations that Jenny and Ellen have provided. In addition to the here and now of trying to navigate conversations and environments where I cannot fully engage, I am processing through what it means on an individual and social level to be a Latino male who does not speak Spanish. Although, I grew up around the language the emersion into it has been difficult in both processing the information and has caused me to reflect on the history of colonization and systemic level oppression that has led me to be part of the generation of my family that has lost the language. Although, I do not believe that my Chicanismo is based solely on my ability to speak Spanish, it is a significant loss of cultural and social capital. However, I did note that as the day progressed I began to get more of an “ear” for the conversations so hopefully that will continue over the next 8 days. All in all, the day was another successful and enjoyable one for me both as an individual engaged in the learning and a professional working to help a good experience for the students on the trip.

During our morning lecture, a Guatemalan human rights lawyer, Eric, talked to us about the current state of the trials against Rios Montt. He began by explaining the difference between material authors, those that actually pull the trigger, and the intellectual authors. It is the intellectual authors, the higher military officials like Rios Montt, that might not have stepped foot on indigenous land, but are just as guilty. Sexual violence and psychological warfare was discovered in military documents, and Eric talked to us about how right before the trial began it was sprung on them that witnesses no longer have a safe private space. This was difficult for the women who were promised privacy, as their testimony could not only put them in danger, but their family as well. Currently, with the Rios Montt trial overturned, there is a case against the State of Guatemala for their negligence. This is an inter american case of human rights to publicly denounce the state for not aiding or even recognizing the atrocities during the armed conflict.
Eric made me think about the issue of reconciliation again. As he said that it is quite impossible for people to to admit their involvement because they fear what their children will think of them. As a result lower ranked soldiers are those that face the blame and become some sort of scapegoat for the economically elite. Again, there is a lack of possibility for forgiveness when admitting fault for the crimes is near to unheard of. I admire the Guatemalan people for holding strong to their desire to see justice. Eric stated that the priority wasn’t money or goods that the Guatemalan people wanted, but justice.

Our afternoon was spent at a community, La Puya, outside Guatemala City. They are currently resisting an american mining company (KCA) from exploiting their land. In 1997, post-war laws were created that made international investment favorable. For about 2 years groups have set up camp at La Puya, with a rotational system put in place to make sure at least 15 people are present at all times. Before we came, a member of Nisgua highlighted the connection between the exploited land the the land that faced genocide, since an overlapping piece of agenda for both perpetrators were to displace people and to take their resources.
Something I have been continuously learning is land, and how it holds spiritual value to many people in Guatemala. Not only did survivors of the genocide come back to occupy their land, but the resistance never faltered their views on the mine (no matter the propaganda) because they could never accept control of their land taken. Not only does mining have social and environmental impacts, but they use a lot of water which makes it impossibly hard for communities who rely on agriculture to live.
Something brought up at La Puya is the divisions that this resistance creates in communities and families. A cause of this is the propaganda and psychological warfare used by those seeking to gain the most from the mines (whether it be the government of the mine owners). They would turn neighboring communities against the revolution, similar to the military telling communities turn in the guerrillas for they are the reason for their suffering. Hypothetically, there were trainings for jobs in the mines but instead beauty/cake baking lessons were given, then those people were put in “responsible mining” shirts and parading around as human propaganda. It is amazing, yet not surprising, the extent the economic elite will go to continue their wealth and further poverty and suffering.
When talking to members of the resistance, one described conflict within his own family. He states that there was no choice but to ignore the topic completely, because their disagreement was so strong. Even within the resistance, there were those that despised the police lounging around their camp sipping on tea, and others that didn’t mind. However, what remained inspirational was the strength, and resilience to crumble under the provocation. Not once, even when their leader was shot, did the resistance try to physically assault the police or damage the property on “private” land. Instead were the “mujeres valientes,” the women (old and young) that stood or lied in front of the riot police guarding the only entrance to the possible mine. The people we spoke to were so welcoming and genuinely thankful for our presence, and also urged us to bring this message home.
Before dinner we brainstormed a page of ideas on what we will bring back to Grinnell, and I am very excited to keep adding on the list, and then organizing amazing events. During dinner we were joined by alumni who spoke about social justice post Grinnell, and gave us great advice about joining more clubs, interacting with new people, and really taking advantage of our college years.

The 3rd day of the trip has been such a bug day in terms of what we went and saw. We visited La Puya today which was an inspiration and so amazing what they are doing there. They have peacefully resisted a mining company that is trying everything to make them become violent so that they can have the police violently remove the resistance. The people that are down there constantly are in 6 groups of 20 that take turns in 24 hour shifts to keep the company Kappes, Cassiday, and associates from starting the mining process. The members there sleep outside without any beds or anything to sleep on while exposed to everything on the side of a dirt road. They live off of donated food and boiled water that has eight times the top levels of Arsenic. The members of the La Puya blockade on the entrance to the mine are valiant and brave. They are trying to stop something that would be devastating to their community. They have solidified as a community with systems in place to call in reinforcements as soon as the people are needed. They have been doing this kind of thing with violence and many other things that have been sent their way and the whole time stood strong for over 22 months now. These members have tried to have discussions, but each time they go to the table they have their items removed and it basically turns into what the other groups want to try and force on them. This is the most successful block as of this day in Guatemala where the government has given land without informing anyone who it would affect. They have not cared about the people and do not seem to care where the actual people they represent are concerned. Instead of looking out for the people the government seems, from its actions, to care more about getting money and pleasing foreign companies that come in to exploit and trample its own people.

The trip has been inspiring and great so far with everything matching up dealing with history and repression. The government seems to have only changed some, but not where it is important for the people. They have still suffered many indignities, especially in terms of the abuse of human rights that continues to today. The people here are suffering and need help.

Today’s sessions are more emotional and harder to overtake because of the stories of the government assassinate town people in the mining resistance, deny the existence of civil war, and set up obstacles to prevent Rio Montt of being accused. While the mining site at La Puya (also the name of the project) and the genocide trial are two different topics that the Guatemalans are confronting, all speakers told us that all conflicts with the government are due to their economic interests.

In the morning, the speaker told us that there were economic elites who pressured to overturn the prosecution because they did not want to find guilty of supporting the military in the past. For example, they would bribe the judges so the case could not move forward even when the prosecutors had strong evidence from the old military documentations, witnesses, and victims.

Then, we visited La Puya in the afternoon. La Puya is about an hour away from the capital, and it has rich minerals and gold around the region. The resistance rotates every 24 hours with other town residents. The Guatemalan government and the American mining company Kappes Cassidy and Associates (KCA’s, since March of 2012) have attempted to charge the resistance with violence crimes by assassinating leaders of the group, send 400 riot police to block the mere road to get to the occupied site from the town, and call La Puya as a “town of prostitution.” Though none of the threats have vacillated the town members, KCA’s continues to pressure the government to disband the community resistance. On the other hand, the government invited both sides to reach a consent about mining at La Puya. The government do not want to be responsible in resolving the conflict, thus, they have given minimum support to the community members.

As I have mentioned in my first article, the government promotes foreign investment of any kind: tourism and FDI. The government has no interest of Guatemalans’ dignity or life, instead, they only concern about their own profits. Guatemala is known to be extremely open to foreign investment. As long as they could gain some benefits, they would provide license to companies to exploit the natural resources and the people. I understand that economic development is the only way to stay competitive in the world market, at the same time, I think the government has used the wrong method to strengthen it’s country. In China, we have a saying of which the country can only be stronger when its citizens are rich. Therefore, Guatemala should not be dependent on foreign investors and let them spoil Guatemalan people’s life, instead, the government should seek returning justice and health to it’s citizens as the priority.

On our third day we indulged in the stories of the genocide trials, became familiarized with the work of NISGUA, and were humbled by the valiant La Puya protesters.

The genocide trials were historical in Guatemala. They dealt with punishing the intellectual authors of the genocides during the 80’s war. Mainly, our guest speaker, Edwin, explained the development of the investigation of General Montt’s trial, which began in 2000 and finally had a sentence in 2013; however, the trail will continue in 2015. General Montt was charged with violating human rights and approximately 200 witnesses testified against him. They day of his sentence was historical in Guatemala and gave the people hope that justice can be found for the terrible crimes committed against the indigenous people. Additionally, what was very meaningful about the genocide trials was that many of the lawyers involved, such as Edwin, are children of the soldiers that suffered at the hands of the tyrannical government (i.e. generations of families have continued the fight against oppression).

Ellen, one of our hosts who works or NISGUA, briefly explained the function of her organization. In short the organization provides support to local people and organizations that are some form of resistance against oppression. The organization attempts to develop strategies to spread messages of organization nationally and internationally, as well as trying to find organization the resources they need to continue their fights. NISGUA supports the La Puya Resistance.

La Puya resistance is a group of villagers that are resisting the intrusion of American mining companies. They explained that their resistance is not because they are against development, but because the introduction of mining will contaminate the local lake, which is their only source of water and is already very scarce. The resistance lives in a shack on the mountainside, next to the entrance to the mine. They have set up a camp in which people take shifts guarding and protesting. Each shift lasts 24 hours and each group should guard at least once every six days. The resistance has been camped there for two years, and according to them they do not plan to stop until they are guaranteed that their water supply is not threatened. Impressively, the resistance has been visited many times by riot police and journalists hired by American companies, who act as instigators who attempt to provoke the resistance into violence, so that to give a government a reason to remove them by force. However, the resistance is so admirably intelligent and strong that they have not fallen into the temptation of violence, even after they have been faced with murders, beatings, and threats.

Our third day was productive as well. I am beginning to see the many, many forms of oppression in such a small country; that is, none of our visits and lectures have been in regard to one single topic – one about the history of guerrillas, one about mining resistance, another about trials, and so on- but they are all interconnected and related to the topic of the oppression from the top to the bottom. Overall, my favorite part still continues to be the food!